Who In the Adoption Triad Benefits From Adoption?

The child- will have a sense of identity and know where they came from and that their adoption plan was solely based off of unconditional love and regard.

The Birth Parents - will have closure and peace knowing they had the ability to choose the type of adoption that best fits their needs as well as their child’s.

The Adoptive Parents - will have a sense of fulfillment in loving a child unconditionally while providing them with all of their essential needs yet also maintaining a possible open and ongoing communication/relationship with the child’s birth parents. No one loses when it comes to adoption. It’s a win, win situation for all- the child, the adoptive parents and the birth parents. What more could one ask for!

Frequently Asked Questions

Teen Pregnancy

We understand that this is a difficult choice, and we are here to support and guide you in exploration of your options.

Remember two things, you are not the only one going through this and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel and there is a solution! Adoption can be everything you want it to be! We will assist you in making an adoption plan that meets your needs. Get started now. There's absolutely no obligation.

Questions To Consider When Exploring Your Options

Will I be able to finish my education if I choose to parent my child?

Do I have the necessary support from my family and father of my child in order to parent?

Am I, mentally, physically and financially capable of raising a child at this time in my life?

If you are leaning towards adoption, ask yourself if the following apply:

I wish for my baby to have a good life.

I want my baby to have security and a good future.

I know I cannot provide for my child’s needs right now.

I prefer adoption to give my child a good chance in life.

Why Do Most Girls Choose Adoption For Their Babies? •Because they’re not ready for the responsibilities of parenting •Because they want to finish high school or college •Because they want to be “un-pregnant” and free to be a teenager •Because they want to be a good person and “do what’s right”

Selfish vs. selfless?

Choosing an adoption plan for your child doesn’t mean that you are being selfish. It means that you are thinking more about your child and their future than your own, and by doing so, is considered to be one of the most selfless acts one can do. Choosing an adoption plan takes courage, and strength and most importantly faith in believing you are doing the ultimate best for your baby.

Child Placement Center

Child Placement Center would like you to know that you are not alone. You may be feeling scared, overwhelmed and confused, and you may not know where to turn. There is help for you here. Child Placement Center has a dedicated, professional and compassionate staff available to answer questions 24/7. You don't have to do this alone!

Do my parents need to sign the papers in order for me to place my child for adoption?No! The court assumes that you are an adult in this situation. However, if you are under the age of 18, the court will appoint an attorney ad litem to talk with you and be sure that you understand the impact of placement and that you are making a decision on your own free will. You will not have to appear in court nor pay legal fees to do an adoption. The agency will provide these services on your behalf.

What information, if any, do you need from the biological father? The agency seeks to obtain the same information from the biological father that you have provided on yourself. Sometimes this is difficult to do. However, this background information is very important to the future of your child. You may want to assist your adoption worker in obtaining the information or you may feel more comfortable in letting the worker obtain the information herself, depending on the type of relationship you presently have with the birth father.

How much can I be involved in choosing the couple for my child? You and/or the birth father may be as involved or uninvolved as you wish to be. For example, you may review Information on several couples to select a family that you feel comfortable with, review photo albums, have verbal information about them, have phone conversations or perhaps have a meeting with them. OR you may choose to let the agency select the family for you.

Will I be able to see my baby in the hospital? Yes, and the agency very much encourages you to do so. You may take pictures, room in and make all the decisions for your child until you sign the papers.

Can I name my baby and will the adoptive parents keep the name that I pick?Yes you can name your baby. You are encouraged to name your child and should do so on the birth certificate if you so desire. The adoptive family is given these names and may use all or part of the name you choose on the final birth certificate.

How soon after the baby is born can she or he be placed in his/her new home?Although this is determined on a case-by-case basis, the agency seeks to place the baby in an adoptive home immediately, if possible. Much of this is determined by the cooperation of the biological father.

When will I have to sign the necessary legal documents to terminate my rights to my child?You are never required to sign papers but you may sign 48 hours after the birth of your child. This is done in front of a Notary Public and two witnesses to make it legal and binding. Some parents may take their child home and attempt to parent only to find six months, a year or three years later that they no longer can do so. Child Placement Center is here to meet your needs at any time, either now or in the future.

Do I get to see and hold the baby at the hospital? Do I have to? You may see and hold the baby as much you would like while you are in the hospital. If you don’t feel comfortable doing so, the hospital can make the necessary arrangements by keeping the baby in the nursery.

Do I have to take the baby home from the hospital? Most generally you will not take the baby home from the hospital unless you request to. Occasionally you may wish to take the baby out of the hospital at dismissal to place in the adoptive couple’s arms in another location so the baby can avoid an extended hospital stay.

What will the adoption agency do for me? As a licensed child placing agency, Child Placement Center will provide you with free Counseling and support 24/7, before, during and after placement of your child into a home. We will assist those with transportation needs, provide and explain the adoption process to you, and provide you with all necessary legal services. And we can also provide such things as maternity clothes, food, and living expenses. You are the one who decides on the type of adoption that is best for you and your child, whether it be an open adoption, semi-open or closed adoption. We are here to assist you in the exploration of your options.

What qualifications must an adoptive couple meet before they are accepted as clients with your agency? Each agency licensed in Texas must meet a certain set of Minimum Standards regarding the qualifications of the adopting family. This criteria is different for each agency but meets the state standards as a minimum. Child Placement Center’s initial criteria for applying to adopt are as follows:

•Adopting Parent(s) must be emotionally stable, in good mental and physical health, financially secure, flexible, understanding, and accepting of the background and needs of the child.

•Adoptive applicants must be at least 21 years of age or older.

•Marriage: couples must have a stable marriage and must have been married at least (3) years for the 1st marriage and (5) years for a second marriage.

•Religion: Religions which prevent a child from receiving medical care are accepted.

•Health: A medical history of each potential parent is required. Adoptive parents must have the capacity to raise children and have health expectations of living for the full childhood of the adoptee.

•Financial: Adoptive applicants must demonstrate financial stability by submitting information on financial assets, insurance, investments and the stability of employment.

•Criminal Back Ground Checks: Each applicant must submit a criminal and/or fingerprint record check for the following: FBI, State and Local Police Check as well as Child Abuse and Neglect Check. Applicants must not have a felony record must be able to provide proof of rehabilitation.